Early Harvest

@paigea (35717)
Canada
June 2, 2022 1:25pm CST
One of my first harvests every spring is dandelion. Can you see my dandelion tea in the picture? This tea is made from the blossoms. It tastes slightly like honey. You can also dry the roots and grind them up for tea. It makes a slightly bitter tea that I also like. Both versions are supposed to have health benefits. Those with ragweed allergies shouldn't drink it. The leaves can go in salad, but I only like them sauteed, with mushrooms and onions. Just enjoying my deck, the humming bird and my tea. Then more yard work. And more tea, I didn't make this strong enough.
17 people like this
13 responses
@porwest (78759)
• United States
2 Jun 22
I have heard of people eating and using dandelions, but I have never once even given it a thought. Seems like they would be bitter to me, but who knows? Never tried them, can't knock them.
2 people like this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
2 Jun 22
The tea from the root is bitter, but I like it. The tea from the flowers is kind of sweet, tastes a bit like honey.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
2 Jun 22
@porwest Dandelions were brought to North America, by the Europeans, for their many uses. They became seen as a weed here.
2 people like this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
2 Jun 22
@paigea Hmm. Interesting.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86827)
• United States
2 Jun 22
I have always wanted to try dandelion tea..or dandelion at all,but at this time I am a bit nervous to as I am not well and do not want any adverse reaction. It looks so good though and I bet it tastes lovely when sauteed.
2 people like this
• United States
3 Jun 22
@paigea Yes maybe ..actually I do not see any dandelions now..Ill have a look though
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
2 Jun 22
You could try a little. But I agree, be careful with things you're body is not used to.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
3 Jun 22
@RebeccasFarm they mainly bloom early on, then stop. Though, there are a few blooms all season.
1 person likes this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Jun 22
I eat raw dandelion leaves and drink roasted dandelion tea . . . but all of which I buy from the store. We had dandelion "weeds" but we don't dare eat them here as so many use pesticides for them - I literally trust nothing that comes from our soils here. Enjoy the healthy and tasty goodness of your harvest!
1 person likes this
@much2say (53944)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Jun 22
@paigea Many of our neighbors have raised beds - and that's what we'd have to do (but haven't ). Dry clay soil. Your soil is probably most excellent with farmers using the land too! Do you start the dandelions from seeds?
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
17 Jun 22
We have a vegetable garden, so eat plenty from our soil. It is about 100 metres away from the farmer's field.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
17 Jun 22
@much2say mother nature provides the dandelions all over our property. We have great soil where our garden is, I wonder if previous owners hauled it in here. The front yard doesn't have great soil
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111252)
• El Paso, Texas
2 Jun 22
Wow, that's so kool. I've always wondered if the ones I have here are edible.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (111252)
• El Paso, Texas
3 Jun 22
I don't use any kind of insecticide or herbicide but I think my neighbor does so I probably won't try to eat mine.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
2 Jun 22
Dandelions are edible. As long as you know they aren't sprayed with anything.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
3 Jun 22
@rebelann The farmers do. Our back yard is 100 metres from the field, so I feel it's safe. And these weren't blooming when they sprayed.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118555)
• Gainesville, Florida
6 Jun 22
Well, darn it, you had to go and ruin it for me with that ragweed talk. I’m allergic to ragweed, so I guess no dandelion tea for me.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118555)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jun 22
@paigea I’m not taking any chances. If you say it’s true, then I believe you!
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
7 Jun 22
We'll you could investigate it further. But I read that information and it's likely to be true.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
13 Jun 22
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247191)
• United States
17 Jun 22
I’d try it if we had dandelions. Our lawn is sprayed with chemicals to keep them away. I’m torn between a pretty lawn or enjoying nature’s bounty.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247191)
• United States
18 Jun 22
@paigea I take it he doesn’t enjoy dandelion tea or greens in a salad
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
18 Jun 22
@DianneN he has no interest. If the greens are cooked like spinach he doesn't mind
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
17 Jun 22
Hubby would be happy to use the chemicals.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58192)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Jun 22
You can always make it stronger next time.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
2 Jun 22
I will. I usually only make one cup at a time. This time I made a litre and didn't use enough blossoms.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58192)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
2 Jun 22
@paigea I sometimes do that do that with Coffee.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95676)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Jun 22
I have never tried it. My grandmother loved dandelion greens
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95676)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Jun 22
@paigea I have never seen them here. But many people here dont know they are safe to eat
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
3 Jun 22
Many do. They sell them in the grocery store.
1 person likes this
• Midland, Michigan
6 Jun 22
I've never had any portion of a dandelion before. Enjoy! Your can have any that I might try. I did see your tea and figured out what it was before reading.
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (53677)
2 Jun 22
Does it taste anything like coffee? I heard somewhere that one can make dandelion coffee.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
2 Jun 22
No, nothing like coffee. At the farmer's market, a fellow sells dandelion coffee . That is made with the root. I don't think it tastes anything like coffee and didn't like his product, actually.
1 person likes this
16 Jun 22
That is a very nice drink indeed.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
3 Jun 22
I see your tea. I don't make tea out of mine. I just let them grow.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
3 Jun 22
Very nice tea
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203451)
• Nashville, Tennessee
3 Jun 22
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
3 Jun 22
Oh is that so. Dandelion is a herbal med source. I never know that except manzanilla or chamomile.
1 person likes this
@paigea (35717)
• Canada
3 Jun 22
I just like it. Apparently, it has some health benifits.
1 person likes this
@Nakitakona (56302)
• Philippines
4 Jun 22
@paigea That how we call a plant with medicinal value - herbal.
1 person likes this